This article was first published on the 4th of January, 2020 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: January 4, 2020 at 20:33 pm
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On the 31st of December, 2019, accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy winds, a torrential rainfall pounded the city of Jakarta, Indonesia in Southeast Asia.
The rains lasted into New Year’s day and raised floodwaters to terrifying levels. Some homes were submerged as high as the ceiling. Cars floated downstream like boats through the streets of the city as residents of the city fought to save their own lives and the lives of others.
Rescue workers were able to evacuate about thirteen thousand people by the afternoon of January 1, and as of today, January 4, 2020, about 397,000 people have been displaced and least 60 people have died as a result of the flooding.
The floodwaters rose from the low-lying river areas of the capital city of Jakarta before entering the urban area in torrents of strong currents that raged through streets sweeping up everything in its path.
One of the first casualty was a young boy who was electrocuted by electrical wires. The power supply to the city was subsequently shut off. An elderly couple was found drowned in their home, while at least 3 person died from hypothermia on the first day of the flooding.
The flood has left devastation in its wake. Today, 4th of January, 2020, as the floodwaters have begun to recede in some parts of the city, cleanup operations are underway. Damages to structures and buildings are clearly seen everywhere, and power supply is very limited.
Some of the villages impacted by flooding include Kalong Sawa, Sipak, Pamegersari, Jasinga, Koleang, Bagian, Tegal Wangi, and Pangaur, Karangligar, Telukjambe Barat, Karadak, Wanajaya, BMI Cikampek, Purwasari Regensi of Karawang, Lebak, Tangerang, and South Tangerang.
Some of the villages affected in the Cipanas Subdistrict include Sipayung, Talagahiang, Cipanas, Bintang Sari, Sukasari, Luhur Jaya, Banjar Irigasi, Banjarsari, Ciladaeun, Lebaksangka, and Lebak Situ.
Experts predict that the rain may continue under the evening January 4th, 2020 and flooding may continue in some regions.
